Latics and pupils united in booting out racism

OLDHAM pupils and Latics players joined forces to kick out racism for good at a special film screening.

Sixty pupils from local primary schools went to Boundary Park to watch the film as part of the hugely successful “Show Racism the Red Card” campaign.

The film features some of the game’s greatest players, including Thierry Henry, Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand and Didier Drogba, talking about their experiences of racism and offering advice on how to deal with, and combat, racism.

Ged Grebby, project coordinator, said: “We are extremely pleased to have one of our first educational events with football clubs in the new season with Oldham Athletic. It is brilliant that the club has again given its full support to the campaign.”

“The new film is an excellent addition to our range of educational resources and will be available to schools from October onwards.”

After the screening, the youngsters got the opportunity to take part in a question and answer session with Oldham Athletic players Craig Davies and Richie Byrne, and project patron Earl Barrett.

James Mwale, of the Oldham Athletic Community Trust said, “Oldham Athletic and the Community Trust are delighted to host this event.

“This further highlights the good work going on by many organisations to eliminate racism from the game and educate young people on diversity and the positive impact that many different cultures bring to our community and the game.”

Show Racism the Red card is a national campaign set up in 1996 to highlight the importance of clamping down on racism.